by DemonEyes » Mon Jun 10, 2013 10:34 am
I have moderated much busier and more aggressive forums than this, and I understand the struggle each and every mod faces..
You have to balance the activity and free flow of conversation on the forums, against the content and manner in which the poster represents himself with.
An overly aggressive argument can hold a significant point, or may just be the rage filled ramblings of someone venting. Moderation is the art of knowing which is which and how to react to each one. And yes.. the one that needs moderation will always be bitter, angry and filled with resentment for the small act of editing or removal of his words, as at the time they seem the words they want to say.
BUT.. I have had one forum ban in my life, for speaking the harsh truth( this was from a games forums, where I warned the devs that they were destroying the game and it would end up F2P.. behold that happened and its F2P now).. The words that may hold the truth may be unwelcome at times even to moderators and development staff. And Moderation should not be the removal of all criticism to them or the game, but the means to redirect the harsh words, into constructive ideas and statements towards those it is aimed at.
I see a surprising number bans for a small number of posters, which to me questions whether warnings are being given effectively or posters actively encouraged to amend their words and ways of expressing themselves. In the modern era, not everyone knows how to behave online, most have taken to heart the anonymity of the internet.
I feel for the Mods, yet I feel there may be too heavy a hand at the wheel.